The biggest question each mother, wife, and cook, in every Indian household each day has to pass through is the “great Indian dinner debate” !!
People, mostly men, especially in north India continue to look for that “kuch badhiya option” which usually has a reference from a recipe of their favorite restaurant, or a chef Varun Inamdar cuisine they have watched on youtube, or one of the social media channels, which becomes an alibi for them to order dinner from outside. With these classics so strongly impressed in their minds, they almost constantly crave smoked Butter chicken, Dal Makhni, or Indianised version of chili chicken if not a continental dish on a certain day.
Eating out is not necessarily the best option all the time, for a variety of reasons. The most important is that commercial kitchens use a variety of ingredients that should be consumed in moderation by everyone. These ingredients are not good for the gut and can cause long-term negatives for the digestive system.
There are some dishes, while they could sound complex, that can help curb such pangs and cravings in the house. Quesadillas are one such dish, that is popular in Mexico made with tortillas and spiced to perfection. Chicken quesadillas are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. With a few simple ingredients, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal in no time.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix the cooked, shredded chicken, chopped cilantro, diced onion, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Lay a tortilla flat in the skillet and sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over half of the tortilla.
- Add a generous amount of the chicken mixture on top of the cheese, then fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the cheese, is melted and the tortilla is crispy and golden brown.
- Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese.
- Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.
Chicken quesadillas are a tasty and satisfying meal that can be customized with your favorite ingredients. You can add vegetables like peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition. Enjoy this recipe as a quick and easy dinner or a fun snack with friends and family.